Buckle



May 17, 1938. c. H. PHILL'PS 2,117,98o

BUCKLE Filed July 6, 1937 INVENTOR Patentecl May 17, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFics BUCKLE Charles H. Phillips, Richmond,` Va.

Application July 6, 1937, Serial No. 152,183

4 Claims.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in buckles and more particularly to belt buckles.

Heretofore, various types of belt buckles have been devised which are provided with a front plate of metal adapted to be ornamented with initials, insignia or the like. The average type of buckle having a front plate is objectionable, except those constructed of expensive material such as gold, silver or the like, because they are usually plated to prevent tarnishing, which, after a certain amount of use tenols to wear off and present an unsightly appearance.

One of the principal objects of my invention is f to provide a belt buckle of economical cost equipped With means forming the front which Will at all times present a neat appearance.

Another object of my invention is to provide a buckle equipped With means for forming the front thereof which may be readily changed to harmonize with the particular belt used in connection with the buckle.

A further object of my invention is to provide means for simulating a different type of buckle while at the same time functioning to conceal the Operating parts of the buckle.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, appended claims and annexed drawing.

Referring to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my invention applied to a typical form of belt.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section thereof.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of my invention.

Fig. 4 is an end elevation thereof.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of a modfied form.

My buckle comprises, in the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawing, a substantially rightl angular-shaped frame provided with end Sections 5 and formed with a pair of oppositely disposed rearwardlyV extending folds B. One end of each of the folds has fashioned thereon laterally extending aligned ears 1 for pivotally securing therebetween a belt clamping member 8.

Said member comprising a belt engaging cam '5 having a serrated face and a loop section IO.

A suitable belt i l has one end detachably secured to the loop section Ill and the other end adapted to be positicned within and between the oppositely disposed folds 6 and securely clamped therebetween by means of the cam 9, as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawing. Due to the stress exertd by the belt, the loop section IO operates the cam to compress the belt between the cam 9 and frame to hold the belt in a non-yielding condition about the waist of the wearer.

The end Sections 5, of the frame, are provided 5 with inwardly extending Channels l2 to receive therein the ends of a piece of belting material in the form of a front member 93 similar, in appearance, to the belt II. The frame is provided with a transverse shaft IA having pivoted thereto 10 a tongue |5 adapted to extend through a suitable hole in the member |3 and serves, together With the member 13, to simulate the appearance of the well known tongue type of belt buckle.

From/the foregoing, it will be apparent that 3.2 my invention provides a means, embracing the belting material |3, which Will at all times present a neat appearance and conceal the loop and associated parts from view. The belting material |3 may be readily removed and another one inserted to harmonize with the type of belt being used.

Obviously, my invention llends itself to many adaptations, for instance, to belt buckles used in connection with belts for bathing suits the like of the hook and eye clasp type as illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawing. In this type of buckle, the frame 20 is provided with an eye 2| for receivinga hook 22 secured to the end 23 of the belt 24. The other end 25 of the belt is adjustably secured to the frame by means of a clamp 26 pivoted to the frame and provided with an Operating finger-piece 21 and a belt engaging section 28. Movement of the finger-piece outward will disengage the belt engaging section 28 to permit adjustment of the belt relative to the frame. One of the end Sections 29 of the frame is slotted, as at 30, to receive therethrough a piece of belting material 3|, the other end section being formed with a channel 32 to receive the end of the belting material. The belting material is secured in adjusted position in the frame by means of the tongue 33 carried by the buckle. As shown in Fig. 5, the free end of the belting material serves to cover and conceal the hook 22 and end 23 of the belt and thereby simulate the appearance of a belt equipped With the tongue type of buckle.

It is to be distinctly understood that various changes and modifications in construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim 1.52

1. A buckle of the class described, comprising, a frame, a front `member detachably secured to said frame, and a tongue connected to said frame and securing said front member in an assembled position relative to said frame.

2. A buckle of the class described, comprising, in combinatioma buckle frame provided With folds and a belt clamping means, a belt attache'd to said clamping means and positioned within said folds, a detachabie front member, a tongue carried by said frame for securing said' front member in an assembled position relative to said frame, said front member concealing said belt in said frame When in said position.

3. A buckle of the class described, comprising,

in combination, a buckle frame provided with foids andtbelt clamping means, a beit attached to said clamping means and positioned within said folds, a front member secured to said frame and of the same material as said belt for conoealing said beit, a tongue carried by said frame and engaging said front member to prevent relative movement therebetween.

4. A buckle of the class described, comprising a frame provided with a belt adjusting means on one end and beit securing means on the opposite end, a detachable front member in said frame and extending without said frame, a tongue carried by said frame for securing said member in an assembled position relative to said frame Whereby said front member conceals said belt in said frame and said belt securing means without said frame.

CHARLES H. PHILLIPS. 

